The U.S. Forest Service has published its Year in Review report for the Northern Region across northern Idaho, Montana and North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota in 2012.
The Northern Region, or Region 1 as the agency designates it, is comprised of 13 forests and grasslands, and manages more than 25 million acres of public lands that include wilderness areas, wild and scenic river corridors, plus many other recreational opportunities.
The report offers a recap of projects and efforts from the past year, including the historic fire season and the biomass research conducted by F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber in Columbia Falls.
One overriding theme in this year’s Review is the emphasis on the widespread and growing partnerships, collaborative groups and projects that are increasing across the Region. Information about the Southwest Crown of the Continent showcases this collaborative success, and is featured along with year-end results from other collaborative groups and projects. The youth engagement, Tribal relations and conservation education programs are featured as well, showcasing their trails, recreation, volunteer and heritage successes throughout the past year.
The Review also features the agency’s research and cooperative projects through state and private forestry (S&PF) in combating invasive plants and insects. S&PF also includes the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service that takes in all of Idaho, Nevada and Utah in addition to the Northern Region areas.
A new feature for the Region’s forests and grasslands includes quick reference codes, or QR codes, for each of their websites. The codes can be read using applications on smartphones. Visitors to the Northern Region can expect to see a wider use of this new technology to provide recreation, conservation education and general project information at kiosks and interpretive signage at trailheads, campgrounds, visitor centers and in other printed materials.
Read the extensive report here.